Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
in Houston, Texas
Program Snapshot
Houston Partial Hospitalization Program Overview
- Level of Care: ASAM Level 2.5 intensive day treatment
- Schedule: Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. (up to 30 hours/week)
- Services Included: Group therapy, individual therapy, family therapy, psychiatric care, medication management
- Best For: Adults requiring daily therapeutic structure without inpatient hospitalization
- Location: The Heights neighborhood, Houston, Texas
Our Houston Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
The Heights Treatment offers an evidence-based, clinically intensive Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) in Houston designed for adults who need more structure than outpatient therapy but do not require 24/7 inpatient monitoring. PHP is also a highly effective step-down level of care for individuals transitioning from residential treatment, detox, or an individualized intensive program.
Clients in PHP attend six hours of therapeutic programming, five days per week. This includes multiple process and psychoeducational groups, weekly individual therapy, family therapy, and daily clinical support from licensed therapists and psychiatric providers.
Our approach integrates the most effective modalities for trauma, mental health, and co-occurring substance use disorders, including CBT, DBT-informed skills, trauma-focused interventions, experiential therapies, and mindfulness-based practices. Each client receives a customized treatment plan aligned with their goals, symptoms, and strengths.
Our Houston PHP also offers Equine Therapy, facilitated by a doctor of psychology, and sessions held in carefully selected therapeutic environments such as local parks and the tranquil Plensa statues to promote reflection, grounding, and sustainable healing.
Who is PHP Right For?
Who Benefits Most From PHP?
PHP is recommended for adults who need daily therapeutic support to safely stabilize mental health symptoms or substance use patterns. This level of care is appropriate for individuals experiencing:
- Severe or persistent depression, anxiety, or mood instability
- Recent relapse or difficulty maintaining sobriety
- Post-traumatic symptoms requiring structured intervention
- Emotional dysregulation interfering with daily functioning
- Dual diagnosis (mental health + substance use)
- Safety concerns requiring daily monitoring
Clients may live at home or in supportive housing while attending the program.
Partial Hospitalization Program At a Glance
Our PHP meets Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., providing up to 30 hours per week of structured, clinically supervised care.
Treatment Modality
Duration & Frequency
Conditions Treated
Group therapy
6 hours daily
Mental Health Conditions, Substance Use Disorder, Dual Diagnosis
Individual therapy
2 hours weekly
Mental Health Conditions, Substance Use Disorder, Dual Diagnosis
Family therapy
1 hour weekly
Mental Health Conditions, Substance Use Disorder, Dual Diagnosis
Medication assisted treatment
As-needed
Mental Health Conditions, Substance Use Disorder, Dual Diagnosis
A Typical Day in Our Houston PHP
9:00–10:15 a.m. – Process Group
10:30–12:00 p.m. – Skills Group (CBT, DBT, emotional regulation)
12:00–1:00 p.m. – Lunch and informal support check-ins
1:00–2:00 p.m. – Individual therapy or psychiatric session
2:15–3:30 p.m. – Psychoeducation or experiential therapy
3:30–4:15 p.m. – Daily wrap-up and safety planning
Efficacy of Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs)
Research consistently supports the effectiveness of Partial Hospitalization Programs for both substance use and primary mental health conditions. PHP is often used as a structured alternative to inpatient care or as a step-down level of care before transitioning to Intensive Outpatient (IOP) or Outpatient services.
In one study of veterans with substance use disorder, individuals who completed a PHP had an employment rate of 41% compared to 6% for those who did not complete the program. These outcomes closely mirror improvements seen in individuals completing structured substance use treatment programs.
Another study evaluating individuals who completed detoxification or partial hospitalization for opioid use disorder found that approximately 40% remained completely abstinent one month post-discharge. Among those who did return to use, consumption occurred at a significantly lower rate than pre-treatment levels—a benefit that aligns with PHP’s ability to stabilize symptoms before transitioning to lower levels of care.
PHPs have also demonstrated positive outcomes for clients with primary mental health conditions, including eating disorders and mood disorders, offering an intensity of care that can prevent hospitalization while still providing a high level of clinical oversight. This is especially true for individuals receiving mental health treatment for conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or trauma-related symptoms that benefit from daily therapeutic structure, supplemented by trauma-focused therapy. Learn more in this review of day treatment programs.
How Our Partial Hospitalization Program Works
In The Heights Treatment’s Partial Hospitalization Program in Houston, clients participate in a highly structured, clinically intensive schedule while continuing to live at home or in supportive housing. PHP offers a powerful middle ground between inpatient hospitalization and traditional outpatient therapy, allowing clients to practice new skills in real time while receiving robust daily support.
Most clients in PHP are managing complex mental health concerns, substance use disorders, or co-occurring diagnoses that require daily structure and accountability. Under the direction of our psychiatric and medical team, clients may receive:
- Up to 30 hours of group, individual, and family therapy each week
- Ongoing psychiatric evaluation and medication management
- Access to medical and laboratory services, as clinically indicated
This level of care is especially appropriate for clients who need daily monitoring or structured support to safely navigate:
- Acute intoxication or withdrawal potential
- Co-occurring biomedical conditions that complicate treatment
- Emotional, behavioral, or cognitive symptoms that require frequent check-ins and therapeutic intervention
As stability improves, clients may transition to our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Houston or Outpatient services, maintaining continuity with the same trusted clinical team.
Treatment Team
The Heights Treatment Houston PHP Team
Click on the links below to learn more about the expert clinicians and support staff who lead our PHP in Houston, including psychiatrists, licensed therapists, and dedicated client care specialists.
Chief Clinical Officer, LCSW-S, ACSW, LMFT
Primary Therapist, LCSW
Group Therapist, MAAT, LPC, Somatic Experiencing
Primary Therapist, LPC, EMDR, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner
Group Provider & Specialized Primary Therapist, LPC, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist
Testimonials
What Our PHP Houston Alumni Are Saying
PHP and the Continuum of Care
At The Heights Treatment, we know that no two clients share the same story, diagnosis, or goals. Our continuum of care is designed to meet clients where they are and support them step by step toward long-term recovery. We treat a wide range of conditions, including mental health disorders and substance use disorders that often require structured daily support.
Each client entering our Houston PHP completes a comprehensive pre-assessment. Using this assessment, the Clinical Director and treatment team determine the appropriate Level of Care (LOC) and develop an individualized treatment plan that integrates psychiatric care, psychotherapy, and family involvement.
The care each client receives is tailored based on:
- Results of a multidimensional biopsychosocial assessment grounded in the ASAM Criteria
- The client’s self-identified needs, strengths, and goals
- Clinical recommendations from our multidisciplinary treatment team
As clients complete treatment goals and stabilize, they transition to a lower level of care such as our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Houston or Outpatient services while maintaining a relationship with the same providers they trust.
ASAM Assessment and the Continuum of Care
The ASAM Criteria is the most widely used and comprehensive framework for determining placement, continued stay, and discharge for individuals with substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions. It helps treatment providers identify the safest and most clinically appropriate level of care based on each client’s unique needs.
At The Heights Treatment, our Houston PHP uses the ASAM multidimensional assessment along with the expertise of our clinical team to create outcome-focused, individualized treatment plans for clients experiencing a variety of concerns. These needs often include conditions related to mental health or substance use that require structured daily support.
ASAM outlines a full continuum of care that ranges from early intervention to medically managed inpatient treatment. Partial Hospitalization (PHP) is identified as Level 2, offering intensive programming, daily therapeutic structure, psychiatric involvement, and clinical monitoring while still allowing clients to live in their community or supportive housing.
As clients meet treatment goals and become more stable, they transition to the next appropriate level of care. Many step down into our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), followed by Outpatient services to ensure continued progress, stability, and long-term support within the same trusted clinical team.
Continuum of Care at a Glance
Our Houston treatment center follows the ASAM continuum of care, offering the appropriate level of support, from early intervention through intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization, while coordinating with trusted residential and inpatient partners when a higher level of care is needed.
Level .5
Prevention/Early Intervention
Targets individuals who may be at risk for developing substance use or mental health concerns by providing education, early screening, supportive guidance, and access to resources such as family support services.
Level 1
Outpatient
Participants live at home and attend scheduled therapy sessions on a weekly basis. Outpatient care is appropriate for individuals who have achieved stability, need ongoing support, or are stepping down from a higher level of care.
Level 2
Intensive Outpatient / Partial Hospitalization
Provides more structure than traditional outpatient care through regular group and individual therapy sessions while allowing clients to live at home or in supportive housing. These levels of care offer increased clinical support for individuals who need consistent therapeutic engagement and monitoring before stepping down to outpatient treatment.
Level 3
Residential/Inpatient
24/7 care in a live-in facility, offering structured treatment for severe addictions.
Level 4
Intensive Inpatient
Highly structured, intensive care in a hospital setting for the most severe cases, including medical detox and stabilization.
Frequently Asked Questions About PHP in Houston
Common questions about eligibility, structure, and what to expect in our Houston Partial Hospitalization Program.
What makes PHP an ideal choice for treatment after residential care?
PHP provides the structure of an inpatient setting with the flexibility of community living. Clients receive daily therapy, psychiatric support, and family involvement, helping them practice recovery skills in real-time while maintaining a high level of clinical oversight.
How does PHP incorporate experiential therapy into its treatment plan?
Our Houston PHP includes experiential modalities such as Equine Therapy, mindfulness practices, and somatic-based interventions. These approaches promote emotional regulation, insight, and trauma processing beyond traditional talk therapy.
What support is available to clients in PHP for managing withdrawal symptoms or co-occurring disorders?
Clients receive ongoing assessment from our psychiatric and medical team, including medication management, monitoring for withdrawal potential, and daily therapeutic
support. PHP is designed to safely stabilize dual diagnosis conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use.
Sources
Veterans Affairs study on PHP outcomes and employment:
Psychiatric Services Journal
Study on abstinence and reduced opioid use following detoxification or partial hospitalization:
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Review of PHP outcomes for mental health conditions, including eating disorders:
Wiley Online Library
American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria overview:
ASAM.org
